Legalism

Legalism

• Legalism was formed by Shang Yang
• Meant to stregthen the government and reinforce adherence to the law
• The first adopters of legalism were the statesman Shang Yang of the State of Qin
• The legal elments of Yang’s theories were based on The Book of Law written by Li Kui
• The theories enforced the idea that all people are flawed and that strict laws and harsh punishments are required to keep them in order
• The theory thought of all humanity as being selfish and evil
• The laws were meant to support the state, the emperor, and his military
• Set up to make model citizens behave and act how the dynasty wanted them to act against their will
• The individual had no civil rights and any personal freedom had to stregthen the ruler